AFTER two home wins, KCs travelled to Silhillians in a buoyant mood, only to fall short against a team determined to reverse the narrow defeat it had suffered last October.

KCs began confidently, with their young three-quarters passing the ball well but making little progress against firm tackling. After just ten minutes KCs defence was broken by a delicate kick-and-chase by the Silhillians winger who won the foot-race when Freddie Morgan, KC’s scrum-half, pulled up with cramp. The visitors went 7-0 down when the conversion was successful.

Kidderminster fought hard to get back into the game but possession was hard to win. In the forwards Jess Smith of KCs was carrying the ball well but there were too many handling errors. Eventually, the fly-half Rhys Pritchard moved the ball well, Pinner entered the line from full-back and Tiene powered over for a well-earned try. Morgan failed with the conversion attempt.

This marked an improvement in KC’s play, as Jasper Smith caught the kick-off and KCs moved play into the home team’s half. Pressure was applied and the referee marched Silhillians back for protesting a decision. However, KCs were still not managing to organize their attacks. Half-time was approaching with the score at 7-5 when an aimless clearance by Silhillians was gathered by Freddie Morgan who initiated a promising attack. Silhillians were penalized for a deliberate knock-on and Morgan kicked this to put KCs ahead 7-8.

The second half started with injuries for KCs. At hooker Alex Royall came on for Dave Kane and when Tiene went off, Tom Maher was moved to centre, Si Clarke came into the second row and Jess Smith moved to Number 8. After ten minutes, a good attack by Silhillians saw their outside centre race through a score a good try, with the conversion missed. In reply KCs attacked and forced a line-out inside the Silhillians 22-yard area. From this Jess Smith carried strongly and captain Mike Protheroe carried this on to cross the try line. After this try Kidderminster were now ahead 12-13 but were coming under considerable pressure. Silhillians forced a number of line-outs and won a penalty that was kicked to take the score to 15-13. At this crucial stage in the game KC’s prop Matt Rigsby was yellow-carded for an illegal challenge at a ruck. Down to 14 men, KCs had to endure intense pressure and, after a series of line-outs, Silhillians were awarded a penalty which they kicked to take the score to 18-13. Sils had their tails up, and 30 minutes into the second half won a scrum in KCs 22-yard zone. The ball was passed along their line and the last man dived gratefully over the try-line for a well-worked try. Again, the conversion was missed but the score now stood at 23-13.

KCs were now back to full strength and threw everything into attack in a desperate attempt to reduce the deficit.

Time and again they tried to release their top try-scorer Arthur Morgan but he was well-marked by the Sils’ defence that recognised the threat he posed. The finale was full of excitement but there was no further score. Eventually, the home team emerged as worthy winners.